As a relatively new, young, progressive, queer and activist-oriented associate pastor in a historically moderate mainline church, I have found the challenges of ministry quite steep! Totally worth the ride, but not without huge challenges. Being coached by Rev. Glenna Shepherd through the Center for Progressive Renewal has helped immensely in tackling those challenges. Here at First Congregational Church of Battle Creek, we are attempting something relatively uncharted: a new church start within an already existing congregation. My colleague, Rev. Thomas Ryberg and I have been charged with forming Christian community with the unchurched, under 40 crowd with half of our time and serving the longer-term, already established members with the other half. The needs of our combined community are quite diverse, sometimes conflicting and often fairly overwhelming. Rev. Shepherd helps us tackle the micro-details of liturgical life, finance and administration, and deploying lay leadership while also helping us think/love into the macro issues that arise in the Body of Christ: intimacy, conflict, life and death. The presence of coaching brings a comfort to rely on. The offered expertise of coaching gives those receiving it practical tools and resources to apply in the congregational setting. Both are invaluable, especially to those of us who are rookies!

In Christ,Rev. Emily Joye McGaughy-ReynoldsAssociate Pastor, First Congregational Church of Battle Creek